Ban on packaged drinking water worries hoteliers

Safety concerns:Along with the clampdown on packaged drinking water in restaurants, supply of mineral water in bottles at functions will also be banned.

Customers prefer mineral water to boiled water,they say

Among the decisions that the city Corporation took on Friday to control plastic waste in the city is one which could cause some worry to restaurateurs. The civic body has banned the serving of packaged drinking water at hotels and marriage halls from July 1. According to many hoteliers in the city, a considerable number of customers these days choose mineral water ahead of boiled water. “We ask our guests whether they prefer boiled water or mineral water. But, more often than not, they prefer packaged mineral water. Some customers even check whether the bottle has the food safety authority’s tag and the ISI mark. But if such a rule solves the plastic garbage issue, then we will follow it strictly,” says Antony, Manager of Flavors Restaurant, Vazhuthacaud.

In places like Kovalam, many of the restaurants serve their guests only mineral water. “The restaurants in Kovalam are not being provided with even a proper water connection. We usually buy water cans from outside or get filtered drinking water. All foreign tourists ask for mineral water only. They are not ready to take the ‘risk’ of drinking water which is not packaged. Also, in our climatic conditions, everyone prefers chilled water. We do give boiled water to those who ask for it, but with warnings,” says Ashokan, manager of German Bakery in Kovalam.

The pile-up of mineral water bottles in canals and drains, which block the flow of water and the large number of bottles found in other public places, had prompted the civic body to go for this drastic step. In recent times, half litre bottles of mineral water have been used widely various functions. These will henceforth be banned.